Application of the peroxidase-antiperoxidase procedure to the localization of pituitary hormones and calcitonin in various domestic animals and human beings.

Specific cell populations in the pituitary glands of the rat, cat, pig, and human being were positive for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). When reacted with prediluted rabbit anti-human TSH, LH, and FSH, antisera were not positive for the demonstration of these hormones in the horse, cow, or dog. Immunocytochemical staining was obtained in the horse, cow, and dog by the use of a primary antiserum against a specific beta-subunit of bovine TSH. The immunocytochemical staining of TSH, LH, FSH, adrenocorticotropic hormone, growth hormone, prolactin, and calcitonin was examined by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method, using standard commercially available kits. All species examined had a strong positive reaction in specific pituitary cell populations for adrenocorticotropic hormone, growth hormone, and prolactin. Sections of normal thyroid gland tissue had positive staining of C cells containing calcitonin at the dilution of 1:100 of the primary antibody in the rat, horse, cow, dog, cat, pig, and human being.